The changes, agreed last month, will see the number of buses operating at the facility cut back from one every eight to 10 minutes to one every 12 to 15 minutes, while the price of an average fare will increase by an average of 16.25 per cent.

The Lib Dems put forward their arguments at a specially arranged meeting of the council’s overview and scrutiny management committee on Monday.

Councillor Stephen Conway, ward member for Twyford and deputy leader of the party, said: “First, there has been no consultation with users.

“Second, the decision might well undermine rather than improve the financial viability of the facility, and third, the decision risks exacerbating traffic congestion.”

Both Wokingham and Reading borough councils, who run the site next to the Showcase Cinema, approved the changes for the service, which runs commuters to and from Reading, in order to stop the facility running at a loss and maintain its financial viability.

The committee also heard representations from the officers at Wokingham council who worked on the proposed changes, users of the service and Reading Buses, before Cllr Liz Siggery, the executive member for corporate services, who approved the price hike, came to the table.

She said: “It was a very simple decision to make because we believe the park and ride should continue to operate.

“If we let it continue as it were, it would have been a future subsidy on the taxpayers of Wokingham, who would be helping to provide a service for a small number of residents in Wokingham.

“Therefore it is our aim to have a cost-neutral solution and we hope that will be achieved.”